In April, experts were already calling 2014 a record-breaking year in the number of car recalls that were being issued by car manufacturers. Things have continued to escalate since this Spring.
Millions of Cars Recalled in 2014
Consider the following list of recalls covering a 30 day period, ending this Tuesday, as compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
* August 26: 120,426 GM vehicles from 2011-2013, including Buick Regal and Chevrolet Malibu models, Recalled for turn signal bulbs that may burn out.
* August 26: 106 GM vehicles from 2014, including Chevrolet Camaro and Buick Regal models, Recalled for potential loss of steering due to improperly torqued fasteners.
* August 26: Sutphen Minitower fire truck from 2013, Recalled for seat belts latches that may become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch.
* August 21: 15,956 Chrysler vehicles from 2014-2015, including Jeep Cherokee and Chrysler 200 models, Recalled for insufficient welding that may cause the rear shocks to detach from the vehicle.
* August 21: 81 Jaguar XF vehicles from 2013-2014, Recalled for potential reduction of power steering assist.
* August 20: 144 Jaguar XK vehicles from 2013-2015, Recalled for incorrect information about proper inflation on the spare tire, which could lead to tire failure.
* August 19: 39,181 Recaro ProSport model 385 car seats, Recalled for failing to conform to Federal Safety Standard requirements, increasing the risk of injury.
* August 19: 2,990 GM vehicles from 2013-2014, including Buick Encore and Chevrolet Cruze models, Recalled for engine block heater cord wires that may become exposed.
* August 18: 9,371 GM vehicles from 2007-2011, including Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD models, Recalled for a potential risk of fire.
* August 15: 124,007 GM vehicles from 2013-2015, including Chevrolet Silverado and Cadillac CTS models, Recalled for an incomplete weld that may not keep the front seats secured in the event of a crash.
* August 15: 16,249 Toyota Tundra vehicles from 2013-2014 modified by Gulf Stream Toyota, Recalled for chrome-plated lug nuts which may fracture or give, causing the wheels to separate from the vehicle.
* August 14: 83,250 Ford vehicles from 2013-2014, including Ford Flex and Lincoln MKX models, Recalled for the halfshaft and the linkshaft which may become disengaged while driving.
* August 14: 57,242 Chevrolet Impala vehicles from 2014, Recalled for a potential loss of power steering assist during start up or while driving.
* August 13: 40,551 Land Rover vehicles from 2010-2015, including LR2 and Evoque models, Recalled for the air bags which may be disabled in the event of a crash.
* August 12: 455 Thor motorhomes from 2014-2015, including Axis and Vegas models, Recalled for the use of incorrect adhesive that may cause the treads on the entry stairs to come loose.
* August 11: 151,389 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles from 2009-2014, Recalled for a potential vehicle stall due to bubbles that may form in the fuel system.
* August 11: 235 Morgan 3 Wheeler Limited 3W motorcycles from 2012-2014, Recalled for missing a warning lamp to inform the rider about low brake fluid levels.
* August 8: 18,526 Volkswagen Routan vehicles from 2009, Recalled for the ignition switch which may move out of the run position, turning off the engine or causing the air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.
* August 6: 184,611 GM vehicles from 2005-2007, including GMC Envoy and Chevrolet Trailblazer models, Recalled for a potential short in the circuit board which may cause a fire.
* August 6: 263 Toyota Sienna vehicles from 2014, Recalled for the transmission shift control cable which may separate while the vehicle is being driven.
* August 5: Subaru vehicles from 2003-2005, In a limited regional recall for air bag inflators that may rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
* August 5: Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles from 2007-2013 with 6-speed automatic transmissions, Recalled for the power steering pressure tube that may leak.
* August 1: 225,000 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles from 2001-2006, Recalled for the front coil spring which may fracture and potentially puncture a tire.
* August 1: 133,075 Hyundai Sonata vehicles from 2011, Recalled for a potential brake fluid line leak.
* August 1: 61,122 Hyundai Veracruz vehicles from 2007-2012, Recalled for a potential oil leak that may damage the alternator.
* August 1: 3,361 Harley-Davidson FXDL Dyna Low Rider motorcycles from 2014, Recalled for possible engine vibrations that may cause the ignition switch to move to accessory mode, causing the motorcycle to stall.
* August 1: 1,939 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles from 2014, Recalled for an improper welding that may cause the shock absorber tubes to separate, resulting in a sudden change in vehicle handling.
* August 1: 1,919 Chevrolet Spark vehicles from 2014, Recalled for lower control arm bolts that may not be tightened properly.
* July 31: 131,568 Brake Parts rear wheel brake shoes, Recalled for possible detachment from the brake lining.
* July 31: Certain Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles from 2007 and 2009, Recalled for replacement transfer case assemblies whose oil seal may come out of position.
* July 30: 883,000 Hyundai Sonata vehicles from 2011-2014, Recalled for the transmission shift cable which may detach.
* July 30: 4,794 GM vehicles from 2013-2014, including Chevrolet Caprice and SS models, Recalled for the windshield wipers which may become inoperative.
* July 29: 414,333 GM vehicles from 2010-2012, including Cadillac SRX and Buick LaCrosse models, Recalled for a seat bolt that may fall out, which could cause the seat to suddenly drop to the lowest vertical position.
* July 29: 25,899 Suzuki Verona vehicles from 2004-2006, Recalled for potential heat generation that could melt the DRL module, causing a vehicle fire.
* July 29: 2,473 Sunright Rodia RDH 500 motorcycle helmets, Recalled for potentially not protecting the user’s head adequately in the case of a crash.
* July 29: 305 Piaggio Vespa 946 Vespa scooters from 2013, Recalled for a fuel line that may leak.
* July 29: 9 Spartan Motor Gladiator emergency vehicles from 2013-2014, Recalled for a potential fuel leak, which could cause a vehicle fire.
* July 28: 643,618 Chrysler vehicles from 2005-2007, Recalled for the ignition switches that may be knocked out of the run position, turning off the engine or causing the air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.
* July 28: 226,326 Nissan vehicles from 2002-2004, including Pathfinder and Maxima models, Recalled for air bag inflators that may rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
* July 28: 5,650 Hyundai Sonata vehicles from 2015, Recalled for a manufacturing error of the front brake calipers, which could reduce braking effectiveness.
* July 28: Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles from 2004-2005, In a limited regional recall for air bag inflators that may rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Why Do You Need to Know About Car Recalls?
You need to know about car recalls because:
1. your car may need to visit the dealer and get fixed before it causes a crash
2. a friend or family member may be driving an unsafe vehicle
3. you may have been in an accident or crash where blame or fault was assessed against you — but now, it may be that the car maker is responsible for what happened.
4. you may have been hurt in an accident or crash where you received damages from the other driver – -but now, it may be that the car maker is responsible to you financially.
How Long Should You Look Back?
These dangers (e.g., the General Motors revelations) go back years and years. If you were involved in an accident 10 years ago, you may still need to investigate the car maker’s responsibility for what happened in that wreck.
Go here to investigate past recalls.
What About Future Recalls?
NHTSA has made this easier for everyone. Go here to access a database where you register your vehicles with NHTSA and if a future recall impacts your car, van, or truck, then NHTSA will let you know.
